You may have heard friends or family mention holistic dentistry. But what exactly is it?

Holistic dentistry is a field of dentistry in which dentists believe that your entire body is affected by your oral health. Although holistic dentistry doesn’t necessarily refer to the practices of that dentist, it does focus on their approach to dentistry.

So how can you know if holistic dentistry is right for you? Here are a few things to know about how these professionals work and if they could be a better fit for your care than a traditional dentist!

Holistic Dentists Don’t Use Toxic Materials

Typically, your holistic dentist will be against the use of silver amalgam fillings and will suggest you have yours removed. He or she will also use biocompatible materials rather than toxic ones to treat your cavity. Many holistic dentists also don’t support root canal procedures, as they believe the materials used to fill your tooth can be toxic and may harm your body.

Some holistic dentists may even recommend against the use of fluoride, whether in its ingested form or even in toothpaste form. Some holistic dentists will use natural therapies in addition to more conventional therapies in order to provide you with the best possible treatment.

Preventative Care Is Important to Them

Often, holistic dentists will focus on preventative care more than a traditional dentist will. This is because these professionals under just how much diseases like gum disease and oral cancer can be prevented. A true holistic dentist will encourage you not to smoke, to eat better foods, and to minimize your consumption of alcohol for a healthy smile.

Your holistic dentist will likely use digital x-rays, which use less radiation than traditional ones. He or she may also use herbs and vitamins to help heal you from your surgery rather than prescription painkillers. Their entire philosophy is about preventing damage to your mouth and body!

Not All Holistic Dentists Are Created Equal

Some dentists will describe themselves as holistic or biological dentists just because they refuse to use amalgam fillings, some of which are composed of more than 50% mercury. However, true holistic dentists will usually have more training and education to them rather than just refusing to use this type of material.

Holistic dentists have more experience in using natural materials as well as understanding more about how your oral cavity affects your body. Talk to your dentist about their experience before you decide to hire. For example, you can ask what their process is for removing amalgam fillings, how they help their patients heal from surgery, and what they’d recommend as a filling for a cavity.

Holistic dentists do more than treat your problems—they work to prevent problems and provide you with the best natural dental care possible. If you’re looking for a more natural approach to your dental care, holistic dentistry may be for you. Ask the right questions to ensure you get an experienced dentist who can provide you with the best care!

The post What Is Holistic Dentistry, and Is it Right for You? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Offer More Oral Protection

That store-bought mouthguard is not made to fit your smile. It was made to fit a variety of smiles, therefore the chances that it will accurately fit yours are slim. Even if you buy what you believe to be the correct size for your mouth, those standard mouthguards still don’t fully protect each and every tooth in your mouth.

Custom mouthguards allow every tooth in your mouth to have optimal protection. They take a minimal amount of time to take molds at your dentist office and they last longer and are made to protect your smile whether for bruxism or contact sports. Why gamble with your smile? When the cheaper mouthguard fails to work, you’ll end up paying to replace your knocked-out or damaged teeth!

Keep Your Child Safe

Standard mouthguards are often either too big or too small for your child’s mouth—they won’t fit just right unless they’re custom-made. If a mouthguard is uncomfortable, your child may choose to not wear the mouthguard or take it out during their sport. Who can blame them? Having an oversized piece of plastic shoved into your mouth doesn’t make for happy sport playing.

Your child may also find it difficult to speak while wearing his or her mouthguard, therefore making it unlikely that they’ll notify their coach if there’s a problem or be able to communicate with their team. If your child wears braces, they especially need optimal protection to keep the braces from cutting their gums in the event that they get hit or fall during contact sports. Ill-fitting mouthguards don’t offer this type of protection!

Increase Performance

You may even have trouble breathing if you buy a standard mouthguard that wasn’t made to fit your mouth. This is alarming for an adult, but even more so for a child. If you or your child use mouthguards for playing sports or bruxism, trying to breathe while having this uncomfortable, bulky guard in your mouth can be difficult.

Not only is this unsafe, but it will also hinder your performance. Your lungs need to take in an adequate amount of oxygen to supply your muscles with while exercising. While sleeping, your body still needs air to breathe and supply your brain with oxygen, as the brain is more active during sleep. Increase performance with custom mouthguards and stay safe while sleeping!

Leave your standard mouthguard on the field—custom mouthguards are a better fit. They provide optimal protection, keep your child safe during sports, and boost your performance by allowing your body to properly breathe. Talk with your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard made today!

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